Comments
Light-Enhancing Tricks & Paint Colours for Dark Living Rooms
Don't let the darkness close in on you. Consider a mixture of paint colours and smart tricks to open up spaces
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
10 March 2019
Blogger, dog mom
Struggling with a living room that doesn’t get much natural light? You don’t always need to take the renovation route to solve the problem. Sometimes a few simple decorating tricks and the right paint colours for walls can make your room look sunnier and welcoming.
Colour: Light grey
Darker rooms need colours that are more saturated, since there’s less light to be reflected off the paint. For living rooms that receive less sunlight, a lighter grey shade works well, as the colour reflects light in the room and makes the space look brighter. It is a calming, elegant hue that’s pleasing to the eye.
Light-enhancing element: Mirrors
Consider hanging a mirror directly across from the largest window in the room or opposite a light source. Its reflective surface doubles the amount of light and can help brighten up a dark space.
Darker rooms need colours that are more saturated, since there’s less light to be reflected off the paint. For living rooms that receive less sunlight, a lighter grey shade works well, as the colour reflects light in the room and makes the space look brighter. It is a calming, elegant hue that’s pleasing to the eye.
Light-enhancing element: Mirrors
Consider hanging a mirror directly across from the largest window in the room or opposite a light source. Its reflective surface doubles the amount of light and can help brighten up a dark space.
Colour: Light yellow
A good paint colour for a dark room would be yellow. When you don’t have much natural light, yellow is a great way to create the feeling of artificial light, as the the shade has inherent brightness to it. Consider pairing yellow walls with white accents and light wood details to add more warmth to a cold, dark space.
Light-enhancing element: Light curtains
Get rid of dark, heavy drapery, as it absorbs light and makes a room seem darker and smaller. Instead, choose translucent sheer curtains that allow light to spread throughout the room.
Tip: For wall paints, opt for matte, not glossy, colours, as the former will reflect subtle, scattered light while the latter can create a glare and make sitting in the room uncomfortable.
See how these spaces light up with yellow
A good paint colour for a dark room would be yellow. When you don’t have much natural light, yellow is a great way to create the feeling of artificial light, as the the shade has inherent brightness to it. Consider pairing yellow walls with white accents and light wood details to add more warmth to a cold, dark space.
Light-enhancing element: Light curtains
Get rid of dark, heavy drapery, as it absorbs light and makes a room seem darker and smaller. Instead, choose translucent sheer curtains that allow light to spread throughout the room.
Tip: For wall paints, opt for matte, not glossy, colours, as the former will reflect subtle, scattered light while the latter can create a glare and make sitting in the room uncomfortable.
See how these spaces light up with yellow
Colour: Light blue
This is the colour of the sky – an outdoor hue. Light blue is a soft, soothing colour that helps open up the room, and makes it look airy and light. It looks almost like a neutral, yet has enough depth to keep the room feeling robust and full of personality.
Light-enhancing element: Metallics
Shimmery gold, silver or bronze accessories have reflective surfaces so light bounces off their surfaces, making a space seem brighter. Also, metallics, say a gold-tinted table, a crystal vase or a chandelier, help add luxury to a scheme.
Wondering how to pick the right shade of blue paint?
This is the colour of the sky – an outdoor hue. Light blue is a soft, soothing colour that helps open up the room, and makes it look airy and light. It looks almost like a neutral, yet has enough depth to keep the room feeling robust and full of personality.
Light-enhancing element: Metallics
Shimmery gold, silver or bronze accessories have reflective surfaces so light bounces off their surfaces, making a space seem brighter. Also, metallics, say a gold-tinted table, a crystal vase or a chandelier, help add luxury to a scheme.
Wondering how to pick the right shade of blue paint?
Colour: Light pink
Pink doesn’t always have to be an OTT, feminine colour – a pastel or a light pink wall paint can instantly brighten up any space and add a whole lot of personality to it. If you want to restrain the use of pink in the living room, consider using it on one wall or on the ceiling.
Light-enhancing element: A pared-back decorating scheme
A dark living room is always dangerously close to looking boxy and suffocating. One way to make it look larger and airier is to create a scheme that is minimal yet elegant. Do away with the rug, avoid putting up dark artworks that will absorb light, and don’t overcrowd with curios. Chose soft-toned accent pieces, glass accessories and light furnishings.
Here’s how to use pink without making it look OTT
Pink doesn’t always have to be an OTT, feminine colour – a pastel or a light pink wall paint can instantly brighten up any space and add a whole lot of personality to it. If you want to restrain the use of pink in the living room, consider using it on one wall or on the ceiling.
Light-enhancing element: A pared-back decorating scheme
A dark living room is always dangerously close to looking boxy and suffocating. One way to make it look larger and airier is to create a scheme that is minimal yet elegant. Do away with the rug, avoid putting up dark artworks that will absorb light, and don’t overcrowd with curios. Chose soft-toned accent pieces, glass accessories and light furnishings.
Here’s how to use pink without making it look OTT
Colours: White or cream
White reflects the most light, making any space seem open, large and bright. To break the monotony of plain white walls, consider experimenting with different shades of white – cream, off-white, eggshell-white – and layer them in the space through paints and accessories. This type of variation will prevent your space from looking too stark.
Light enhancing element: Right lighting fixtures
In a dark living room, carefully think about where you’d like to place your lighting fixtures. Mix up the scheme – use a single bright source of light, such as a chandelier, and complement it with other indirect lighting, such as recessed panels on the ceiling, so that the room doesn’t become blindingly bright yet looks cosy, warm and welcoming.
Read more:
How to Brighten Up Spaces Around Dark Furniture
Tell us:
Do you have a dark living room? How did you brighten it up? Tell us in Comments below.
White reflects the most light, making any space seem open, large and bright. To break the monotony of plain white walls, consider experimenting with different shades of white – cream, off-white, eggshell-white – and layer them in the space through paints and accessories. This type of variation will prevent your space from looking too stark.
Light enhancing element: Right lighting fixtures
In a dark living room, carefully think about where you’d like to place your lighting fixtures. Mix up the scheme – use a single bright source of light, such as a chandelier, and complement it with other indirect lighting, such as recessed panels on the ceiling, so that the room doesn’t become blindingly bright yet looks cosy, warm and welcoming.
Read more:
How to Brighten Up Spaces Around Dark Furniture
Tell us:
Do you have a dark living room? How did you brighten it up? Tell us in Comments below.
Related Stories
Photo Books
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
How to Make Your Living Room Look Bigger
By Neila Deen
Decorating a small living room? These 10 tips will help you make it more beautiful and welcoming
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
12 Sofa Colour Combinations You Can Blindly Trust
We've put together a tasteful mix of sofa shades that can take your living room from meh to magnificent
Full Story
Indian Homes
Design-Forward Indian Living Rooms, Bedrooms & Kitchens on Houzz
Take cues, ideas and inspiration from this compilation of 50 inspiring Indian spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Here is all you need to know about the difference between gypsum and POP before you commit to a ceiling
Full Story
Small Spaces
9 Seating Arrangement Ideas for Small Living Rooms
Discover ways to live large with these pocket-sized living areas
Full Story
Colour Guides
5 Best Colours for Small Living Rooms
These paint colours will set the mood, update your space and make a small space seem larger than it is
Full Story
Dining Rooms
Remarkable Pairings: 40 Gorgeous Living Dining Combos
Here are inspiring living and dining room ideas for small and big spaces
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Contemporary Chic: How to Design a Modern Rustic Living Room
Love natural, rustic style, but want to keep it contemporary? Take a look at these design ideas
Full Story
Colour Guides
What Colour Curtains Go With Cream Walls?
Here are exciting and surprising curtain colours that match cream walls
Full Story